Dallas 2006 Offensive Line Issues

[Sarge]

I am more optimistic than most when it comes to some of Dallas' younger lineman. I see Al Johnson as average, which isn't bad for a player in his second year starting, I see Pettiti and Tucker getting valuable experience (I'm of the school that unless the Super Bowl is a realistic goal for that season, let the young'uns play).


I still haven't given up on Peterman. Some lineman take awhile. I just know from watching games over and over again that Allen is playing terribly and I don't know how he can possibly play any better next year given his age.

One thing we do agree on is the Larry Allen is not playing very well and is going the wrong way. He won't be any better next year either, I agree.

 

[burmafrd]

there are quite a few very good college weight training programs- virtually all the major schools have good ones. Unless you are late to physically mature, you are not going to add much in the pros. Johnson is 26- he is not going to get any stronger.

 

[mwmilsted]

If this franchise can cut Troy Aikman and E. Smith then I wouldn't call Larry Allen "uncuttable". If memory serves me Larry Allen is scheduled to make a boatload of money this next year. Larry Allen is strong as an ox, but he is not that versatile in terms of his mobility. He has gotten a "pass" because he is one of the all-time greats at his position, but lets face it, he is NOT the player he once was. The questions that remain about Larry Allen are, is he still "good enough" and is he worth what his cap hit will be. I'm not sure about the answer to either question, but I'm leaning toward thinking the franchise will restucture him or cut him.

I'm not sure of what is available to replace Larry Allen, or Al Johnson in the draft or free agency, but I'm thinking Bentley would be a good addition at center. Who knows if he will be a good enough deal capwise.

Right On! LA is not uncuttable. I think you're right about Bently being an improvement at center. Also, Hutchinson form Seattle looks like the kind of Guard BP likes. He's alot more versatile than LA. Right Tackle looks like a problem to fill through free agency.

 

[Mash]

Bill is too old to lose.....Allen is a average guard now....just watch him.....makes a nice block once in awhile.....gives up more often. He is too top heavy and lost alot of quickness...if a DT gets a shoulder around him....he is done.

It happens to the best of them.....Allen is living on reputation alone. The only solid starter is Adams.....the rest....well....IMHO...they are all backups in the system we run. We had this problem for several years.......when is the last time we felt comfortable making 3rd and 1?

This will take a few more years to correct......we tried to patch it up by signing Rivera...all it did was cost us money.....

 

[lspain1]

Tucker is one of the better backup OTs in the league

Stanley, how do you define backup? We were thin at OT before the season started. Tucker, a 3 year man, could not beat out a rookie Petitti. Against good defenses, our line was poor to flat out bad from the time Flozell went down. I do NOT call that good backup play. We need more talent at OT for next year.

The NYG line had injuries, reshuffled, and played well. We had injuries, could not reshuffle, and went to hell in a handbasket. Unless a miracle happens with Columbo, we must get better depth at tackle going into next season. I'm not sure about center/guard situation because the problems at tackle made everyone look bad, but we must improve at the tackle position.

 

[Fred Smith]

We need to use our first round draft pick on the best offensive right tackle we can find, and make him an immediate starter. Pettiti could be the backup. In rounds 2 and 3, we need an inside linebacker and a free safety. With another mid round pick, we need a backup left offensive tackle. If we can address any of these needs in free agency, then we can go for another WR. If not, we will need another WR in free agency.

 

[silverbear]

I've looked at the centers available in the draft. Most are smaller than what Al Johnson is. I don't see that as being a good alternative at this point.

Take a close look at Mike Degory of Florida, a 310 pounder who should be a 2nd or 3rd round pick... then take a look at Ryan Cook of New Mexico, a 340 pounder who looks like a 3rd to 5th round type...

But first, take a SERIOUS run at LeCharles Bentley in free agency... he's a proven commodity, and one of the best centers in the game today... and he's still young...

 

[silverbear]

Tackle-- Flozell Adams is serviceable... before giving up on Rob Petitti, remember that most NFL scouts say a young player makes his most progress between his first and second years... Rob got his baptism by fire, and had his rough moments, but it was all a learning experience... Torrin Tucker probably has a role on the team next year, but I think he's better off at guard... perhaps he can be the swing backup at both positions...

Rather than pursue a veteran free agent at tackle, I'd be content to go with Adams and Petitti, and draft one of the stud tackles in this draft, in the first or second round... my dream, being a Longhorns fan, would be Jon Scott, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at Marcus McNeil, either...

Guard-- Larry Allen is still solid (no matter what the message board critics might say)... Marco Rivera was a disappointment, but I wonder how much of that is because of the back injury he suffered last summer... I'd want to take a close look at him this offseason, with enough time to rehab he might be able to return to the level of play he showed the previous 2 years... Andre Gurode would make a nice backup, able to play either guard or center in a pinch (I just wish he could knock it off with all the mental errors)... Stephen Peterman, I just don't know about, but I don't think the Boys ought to give up on him...

I could make an argument for pursuing Steve Hutchinson in free agency, he's one of the best in the game today... however, he's gonna command top dollar, and the Boys have a number of offseason needs, so I'm not sure he'd make financial sense... I think I'd take a look at somebody like Ryan O'Callaghan of Cal in the 3rd round range...

Center-- Al Johnson is just too small, and doesn't show me the ability to put on bulk... really, it's more than him just being light, he doesn't seem to be real strong (Mark Stepnoski never weighed much more than 270, but was strong enough to go head to head with 315 pound DTs and hold his own)... Gurode looks better to me at guard than he does at center...

There are any number of nice centers likely to be on the free agent market this summer, and the Boys should make adding one of them a priority... my oft-stated preference would be for LeCharles Bentley, but I could live with Justin Hartwig or Seth McKinney as well... all of them would represent an upgrade at center... in the draft, I've only found 2 who intrigue me, Mike Degory and Ryan Cook...

So, get your center in free agency, and maybe a guard as well, get another tackle early in the draft... that's how I'd approach the offensive line situation this offseason... this approach factors in where the depth is in the draft, as well as in free agency... add a Bentley and McNeil to the equation, and the offensive line will start to look MUCH better...

 

[Awakened]

The teams that overwhelmed us this year had great DT's. I think massive DT's are more common than they were even 10 years ago. I'm not sure even Step could handle some of these guys. Johnson just can't handle them. Gurode can do pretty well physically, but must not have the other abilities/intangibles that a Center needs to have to be effective. I agree that a great Center is probably our highest priority.

The other issue is that apparently cohesion is more important on the OL than with any other unit. The Center is the "captain" of the unit. The great OL units have great cohesion, and that usually takes a while to establish. So we're kinda in a tough spot - we need changes, but significant changes on the line sets us back somewhat.

Having said that, I agree with most that Allen needs to go. Rivera's not going anywhere. So I would expect/hope that we'd have a new Center through FA and a new LG through the draft. We'll most likely stick with Adams & Pettiti as starting tackles, with Tucker as a good backup.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

The teams that overwhelmed us this year had great DT's. I think massive DT's are more common than they were even 10 years ago. I'm not sure even Step could handle some of these guys. Johnson just can't handle them. Gurode can do pretty well physically, but must not have the other abilities/intangibles that a Center needs to have to be effective. I agree that a great Center is probably our highest priority.

The other issue is that apparently cohesion is more important on the OL than with any other unit. The Center is the "captain" of the unit. The great OL units have great cohesion, and that usually takes a while to establish. So we're kinda in a tough spot - we need changes, but significant changes on the line sets us back somewhat.

Having said that, I agree with most that Allen needs to go. Rivera's not going anywhere. So I would expect/hope that we'd have a new Center through FA and a new LG through the draft. We'll most likely stick with Adams & Pettiti as starting tackles, with Tucker as a good backup.

Here is how we make all of this happen:

• Sign Bentley as our major FA aquisition.
• Draft Monster OG/OT Max Jean-Gilles from Georgia in the 1st rd. of the 2006 draft to bring power & flexibility to the Oline. (Played LG this year, & LT last year. Hasn't missed a game in three years.).
• Restructure LA's contract to pay for the majority of Bentley's bonus. By drafting Jean-Gilles, you have more leverage with LA.

I also strongly suggest drafting an OT in the second or third rd. This scenereo gives us super strength up the middle, & a promising rookie tackle and OG to groom to replace LA in 2007. I still have high hopes for Peterman. The guy has just been too banged up to really make an impact. Give him & Pettiti an off-season where they are healthy, and can pound the weights, and we should have one of the better lines in the NFL toward the end of next season.

 

[trueblue1687]

Tackle-- Flozell Adams is serviceable... before giving up on Rob Petitti, remember that most NFL scouts say a young player makes his most progress between his first and second years... Rob got his baptism by fire, and had his rough moments, but it was all a learning experience... Torrin Tucker probably has a role on the team next year, but I think he's better off at guard... perhaps he can be the swing backup at both positions...

Rather than pursue a veteran free agent at tackle, I'd be content to go with Adams and Petitti, and draft one of the stud tackles in this draft, in the first or second round... my dream, being a Longhorns fan, would be Jon Scott, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at Marcus McNeil, either...

Guard-- Larry Allen is still solid (no matter what the message board critics might say)... Marco Rivera was a disappointment, but I wonder how much of that is because of the back injury he suffered last summer... I'd want to take a close look at him this offseason, with enough time to rehab he might be able to return to the level of play he showed the previous 2 years... Andre Gurode would make a nice backup, able to play either guard or center in a pinch (I just wish he could knock it off with all the mental errors)... Stephen Peterman, I just don't know about, but I don't think the Boys ought to give up on him...

I could make an argument for pursuing Steve Hutchinson in free agency, he's one of the best in the game today... however, he's gonna command top dollar, and the Boys have a number of offseason needs, so I'm not sure he'd make financial sense... I think I'd take a look at somebody like Ryan O'Callaghan of Cal in the 3rd round range...

Center-- Al Johnson is just too small, and doesn't show me the ability to put on bulk... really, it's more than him just being light, he doesn't seem to be real strong (Mark Stepnoski never weighed much more than 270, but was strong enough to go head to head with 315 pound DTs and hold his own)... Gurode looks better to me at guard than he does at center...

There are any number of nice centers likely to be on the free agent market this summer, and the Boys should make adding one of them a priority... my oft-stated preference would be for LeCharles Bentley, but I could live with Justin Hartwig or Seth McKinney as well... all of them would represent an upgrade at center... in the draft, I've only found 2 who intrigue me, Mike Degory and Ryan Cook...

So, get your center in free agency, and maybe a guard as well, get another tackle early in the draft... that's how I'd approach the offensive line situation this offseason... this approach factors in where the depth is in the draft, as well as in free agency... add a Bentley and McNeil to the equation, and the offensive line will start to look MUCH better...

Flozell Serviceable??? He's one of the better tackles in the league...at least in the top 7-10. Larry Allen is NOT still solid. He has become a quitter on ALOT of plays and now relies solely on his strength. Take a look at some of this seasons games and look for good ole LA- you'll see what I mean over and over and over... I completely agree with your take on Al Johnson. @ 295lbs (generous) he gets blown up alot and can't recover. Too bad Ray Donaldson can't still play. Maybe he would give up his medicare and come back for a couple seasons. Rivera is a good guard, I think his injury had him messed up for the whole season and that may be a harbinger of things to come. Tucker is damn near ********, but certainly has the size...now only if there was a "hooked on football" learning program out there. My "headcase" pick for next season is.....Gurode at guard and Larry Allen eating french fries somewhere with his feet up. Gurode is a DECENT back-up at center, but impressive at guard where play is somewhat easier on the brainiacs.

 

[Hiero]

Letting Allen go, creates a huge hole, and Im not sure Peterman can fill that hole. Allen and Flozell will be back next year fired up for the super bowl run.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think with Burnett just tearing his ACL that pretty much forces us to take a LB in the first round of the draft.

 

[trueblue1687]

And who's going to be dumb enough to take his salary?

Believe me, there will be someone who'll pay for a pro bowl guard. His figures aren't that bad from what I can remember. Plus, players can always agree to new contracts. I think a third rounder would be a great trade, maybe unlikely, but good for the Cowboys.

 

[Mansta54]

Allen is better then he's getting credit for. The big man can still play and at times at a dominant level.. He'll be back next season and he should be....

 

[AbeBeta]

Believe me, there will be someone who'll pay for a pro bowl guard. His figures aren't that bad from what I can remember. Plus, players can always agree to new contracts. I think a third rounder would be a great trade, maybe unlikely, but good for the Cowboys.

A third round pick is silly. If Allen agrees to a new deal it is because he picked the team he wanted to go to -- that team will have a ton of leverage -- maybe we get a 7th round pick at best. More likely we have to cut him.

He may be in the pro-bowl but that is only because people know his name from having Madden heap praise on him over the years. The guys is a shadow of his former self -- every team in the league actually watches footage -- they don't say "well, he must be good, he's in the pro bowl"